Jamie Ramer

Biography

When Briercrest hired Jamie Ramer as their men's hockey coach
for the 2014-15 season they knew that they were hiring a coach who
was a great fit for the Briercrest community.

Briercrest Athletic Director Nigel Mullan was excited with how
good of a fit Ramer was with Briercrest and the hockey team.

"I am thrilled with Jamie being added to our program as we are
adding a quality person that has a great understanding of what we
are trying to accomplish with our hockey program," Mullan
said. "Jamie has the skill set to care for the individuals
and to help them feel valued as they look to contribute to the
team. I am confident that Jamie will take his time and make
sure every aspect of the program is running in the direction that
we are looking for. I am excited that we have a coach coming
in here that wants to see a championship won by players that are
living out our purpose as followers of Jesus Christ."

Ramer's hockey experience has taken him all over Canada and even
overseas.

After serving as a hockey missionary in Sweden from 2000 to 2003
he returned to Canada and continued to work with Hockey Ministries
International (HMI) in Ontario where he oversaw and helped grow the
chapel ministry presence in the Ontario Hockey League, as well as
with teams in the OUA and OHA.

"I played Division 2 hockey for three years in Sweden," Ramer
said. "I have spent many years instructing at HMI's summer
hockey camps and as a power skating instructor. I have
a number of years coaching junior hockey in Sweden and more
recently in our local minor hockey association. I have
spent a good deal of time working with junior and varsity players
to understand both the quality of character, skill and teamwork
that it will take to have success on and off the ice."

Before traveling to Sweden, Ramer played hockey at Briercrest
for five seasons.

"God used Briercrest in a very significant way in my life," he
explained. "I played from 1994-2000 and still have eligibility left
if you can figure that one out! While I was initially drawn to
the school because of the hockey program I took the opportunity to
dig into my faith and the questions that I had at that point in my
life. It was a phenomenal experience with staff who taught and
truly cared about the students and college community students who
made learning fun."

"It was the Briercrest coach - John Bechtold - who really helped
me to connect my faith to the game of hockey," Ramer
continued. "He also believed in my abilities and helped me to
grow as a player. In my second year as a Clipper we took a
hockey missions trip to Sweden through Hockey Ministries
International. God used that trip in a profound way in our
team and in my life as I saw for the first time ways that I could
combine my faith with my passion for the game. It has been
quite the journey ever since and it seems as it has come full
circle again."

Though Ramer has been out of Saskatchewan for a decade and a
half he has remained connected to Briercrest.

"Some of my best friends are Clipper alumni so it is always a
special thing to keep in touch with those guys," he said. "I
have always had an excitement to keep in touch with the program and
do what I could to help support the various coaches and great
people and players that have been involved over the years. It
was certainly a special moment to be back when the new rink was
built as it was a dream that we had for many years. I
am also excited about the future of the program. It has
come a long way since my playing days and to hear the vision to see
it continue to move forward is something that I want to be a part
of."

Ramer's extensive experience with hockey has helped him develop
his coaching philosophy.

"I have a passion to join in what it means to equip and prepare
players to engage the world," Ramer explained. "Without getting
into too many details of my coaching philosophy, I will say that my
approach will both prioritize caring well for our development and
growth as people with excellence on the ice. We will
prepare to not just compete well but to win."

"It will include earning the trust and building a network
of people (coaches, trainers, scouts, financial supporters) and
strategic partnerships who are behind what the school and hockey
program are about and desire to see it succeed," he
continued. "I desire players who want to be a part of
'Briercrest Nation' and willing to play their role in seeing it
succeed. It will involve commitment, a willingness to grow and
sacrifice but it will be worth it."

"I am excited to come and be a part of the Briercrest community
again and specifically to be able to be a part of shaping and
leading the next chapter of the Briercrest hockey program," Ramer
said. "I have been so inspired to see the volleyball program host
and win silver in nationals this year. I would dream of
seeing a similar experience for the hockey program."

Ramer is married to Briercrest alumnus Lea-Anne and they have
three children.

About Briercrest

Briercrest College and Seminary is a community of rigorous learning that calls students to seek the kingdom of God, to be shaped profoundly by the Scriptures, and to be formed spiritually and intellectually for lives of service.